Dr.Jeff
True Classic
In a related thread we explored some re-design ideas for the air ducts on the rear sides of the X: https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/side-vents-ducts.33130/
Here we'll explore a re-design of the front lower valance on the X to change the characteristics of the nose, both aesthetically and functionally. It could be as simple as creating a "air-dam" or "spoiler" to add-on, or as complex as re-sculpting the surrounding area to create the whole new package.
I guess these might be thought of as concepts, some more radical (i.e. less practical) than others. But the intent is to stimulate new ideas, gather input, get creative. So please feel free to offer all thoughts. However I should make the same disclaimer as in the prior thread; purists, this content is all about customization, alteration, molestation of the X's design. It is not intended to offend in any way, nor is it questioning the original design of the vehicle. If this is not your cup of tea, please move on to a thread more suited to your liking...thanks. I should also say the content I am posting here are merely my opinions, reflect my tastes, and are completely subjective...do not take anything too serious, its all for fun.
I will mainly rely on pictures found online to make up for my complete lack of artistic skills. In addition to not being able to draw, I cannot use graphic software or even Photoshop for that matter. So I beg anyone with those skills to please assist as much as possible.
DESIGN
The nose of the X has what I like to call a "negative" lower slope; the body lines along the (upper-side) hood slope downward to the bumper, but from there they slope BACKWARDS (lower-side) to the front wheels rather than moving DOWNWARD or even FORWARD. I've always found this "negative" slope to be unappealing. It musters up thoughts of a 'lifting' force (negative aerodynamic effect if you will), and perhaps more importantly it leaves the front of the car with a "slack-jaw" look. Certainly not the performance oriented look of say a race inspired vehicle with bodywork shaped to move air away from under the car. This "pointy" look was common in the era, including some very expensive "exotic" or "super" cars, but I've never cared for it. So one alteration would be to eliminate or at least cover-up that negative area to give it a more muscular look, bolder, a performance image.
Something that must be considered with a re-design of the nose is the front grill. That can be a complete discussion on its own. Many of the re-design ideas here will require a different grill, but it cannot be determined until the nose is decided. Therefore I may not go too deep into the grill aspect, but I'm sure it will come up as we progress.
Another feature that I think distracts from the car is the bumpers, with the possible exception of the European split-bumper blades (like on the '74 X). However I don't like the big rubber blocks on them. Reminiscent of when Porsche added blocks to the 911 bumpers to meet US regulations. Its kind of like a big wart on the nose of a beautiful woman, very distracting. So the bumpers need to be removed or replaced.
Government regulations also ruined the X's design by requiring a higher noise height. The "nose in the air" stance is definitely wrong. However that is not really a body design element so I won't get into it, other to say I think it should be given a better stance.
So on to the pictures. There are MANY excellent examples for most of the X1/9 specific images I will show. I have not necessarily tried to find the best examples, just the most convenient for the purpose of this discussion. So please do not be offended if your X is better looking than the ones I show...it is pretty much random.
BUMPERS
For an example of clean, tightly mounted, skinny split-bumpers without big rubber blocks, look at the '71 DeTomaso 1600, a design very close to the X1/9:
One of our members adapted '71 (I believe) Camaro bumpers onto his X...very nice looking:
And there are lots of examples of "bumper-less" X's, here is just one:
If the bumper is removed or reduced, exposing the underlying bodywork, it should be smoothed to give it a clean, from-the-factory-that-way look. Also see the DeTomaso above:
The bumper can also be incorporated into the nose along with the lower valance, sort of a one-piece item (a more modern approach). As highlighted in blue; this style bumper/valance would also eliminate the 'negative' lower aspect of the X's nose. [Ignore the red circle from the other thread]:
Another modern take is on the X1/9 concept car:
LOWER VALANCE
To eliminate the negative lower area below the bumper and in front of the wheels, something like the 288 GTO valiance/spoiler might work (also see additional note in the picture following this one):
But NOT the GTO's bumper; an ugly 'after-thought', regulations required, plastic-strip-stuck-on looking thing...sad:
The yellow Lamborghini shown already is another way to get rid of the lower deficit. [There will be more to follow in the next installment.]
This redesign of the lower valance can be as much a functional improvement as a cosmetic one; a properly designed front end can add front down-force to a light nosed car. But much like the suggested side duct improvements (other thread), air-tunnel testing is needed to confirm any results. However if nothing else it certainly improves the style of the X1/9.
Lots more to come...I'll leave this for now with one more photo illustrating a very well designed nose profile:
Here we'll explore a re-design of the front lower valance on the X to change the characteristics of the nose, both aesthetically and functionally. It could be as simple as creating a "air-dam" or "spoiler" to add-on, or as complex as re-sculpting the surrounding area to create the whole new package.
I guess these might be thought of as concepts, some more radical (i.e. less practical) than others. But the intent is to stimulate new ideas, gather input, get creative. So please feel free to offer all thoughts. However I should make the same disclaimer as in the prior thread; purists, this content is all about customization, alteration, molestation of the X's design. It is not intended to offend in any way, nor is it questioning the original design of the vehicle. If this is not your cup of tea, please move on to a thread more suited to your liking...thanks. I should also say the content I am posting here are merely my opinions, reflect my tastes, and are completely subjective...do not take anything too serious, its all for fun.
I will mainly rely on pictures found online to make up for my complete lack of artistic skills. In addition to not being able to draw, I cannot use graphic software or even Photoshop for that matter. So I beg anyone with those skills to please assist as much as possible.
DESIGN
The nose of the X has what I like to call a "negative" lower slope; the body lines along the (upper-side) hood slope downward to the bumper, but from there they slope BACKWARDS (lower-side) to the front wheels rather than moving DOWNWARD or even FORWARD. I've always found this "negative" slope to be unappealing. It musters up thoughts of a 'lifting' force (negative aerodynamic effect if you will), and perhaps more importantly it leaves the front of the car with a "slack-jaw" look. Certainly not the performance oriented look of say a race inspired vehicle with bodywork shaped to move air away from under the car. This "pointy" look was common in the era, including some very expensive "exotic" or "super" cars, but I've never cared for it. So one alteration would be to eliminate or at least cover-up that negative area to give it a more muscular look, bolder, a performance image.
Something that must be considered with a re-design of the nose is the front grill. That can be a complete discussion on its own. Many of the re-design ideas here will require a different grill, but it cannot be determined until the nose is decided. Therefore I may not go too deep into the grill aspect, but I'm sure it will come up as we progress.
Another feature that I think distracts from the car is the bumpers, with the possible exception of the European split-bumper blades (like on the '74 X). However I don't like the big rubber blocks on them. Reminiscent of when Porsche added blocks to the 911 bumpers to meet US regulations. Its kind of like a big wart on the nose of a beautiful woman, very distracting. So the bumpers need to be removed or replaced.
Government regulations also ruined the X's design by requiring a higher noise height. The "nose in the air" stance is definitely wrong. However that is not really a body design element so I won't get into it, other to say I think it should be given a better stance.
So on to the pictures. There are MANY excellent examples for most of the X1/9 specific images I will show. I have not necessarily tried to find the best examples, just the most convenient for the purpose of this discussion. So please do not be offended if your X is better looking than the ones I show...it is pretty much random.
BUMPERS
For an example of clean, tightly mounted, skinny split-bumpers without big rubber blocks, look at the '71 DeTomaso 1600, a design very close to the X1/9:
One of our members adapted '71 (I believe) Camaro bumpers onto his X...very nice looking:
And there are lots of examples of "bumper-less" X's, here is just one:
If the bumper is removed or reduced, exposing the underlying bodywork, it should be smoothed to give it a clean, from-the-factory-that-way look. Also see the DeTomaso above:
The bumper can also be incorporated into the nose along with the lower valance, sort of a one-piece item (a more modern approach). As highlighted in blue; this style bumper/valance would also eliminate the 'negative' lower aspect of the X's nose. [Ignore the red circle from the other thread]:
Another modern take is on the X1/9 concept car:
LOWER VALANCE
To eliminate the negative lower area below the bumper and in front of the wheels, something like the 288 GTO valiance/spoiler might work (also see additional note in the picture following this one):
But NOT the GTO's bumper; an ugly 'after-thought', regulations required, plastic-strip-stuck-on looking thing...sad:
The yellow Lamborghini shown already is another way to get rid of the lower deficit. [There will be more to follow in the next installment.]
This redesign of the lower valance can be as much a functional improvement as a cosmetic one; a properly designed front end can add front down-force to a light nosed car. But much like the suggested side duct improvements (other thread), air-tunnel testing is needed to confirm any results. However if nothing else it certainly improves the style of the X1/9.
Lots more to come...I'll leave this for now with one more photo illustrating a very well designed nose profile: